Mujeres inmigrantes versus autóctonas. Diferencias en disfunciones sexuales, infecciones vaginales y lesiones cervicales

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine if there are differences in forms of sexual dysfunction, vaginal infections, sexually transmitted diseases (STD) – including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection – cervical lesions, and cervical cancer between autochthonous and immigrant women in our gynecology clinic. Material and methodsWe carried out a personal interview to inquire if the women had sexual intercourse or not, and the causes: sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, dyspareunia, the frequency of coitus, contraceptive methods, anal coitus and simultaneous multiple sexual partners. We performed the Pap smear. Serological testing was requested, including rapid plasma reagin (RPR) for syphilis, the Australia antigen (HbsAg) for hepatitis B, antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV), antibodies to type 2 herpes simplex virus (HSV), and antibodies to HIV. The human papilloma virus (HPV)-DNA test (Digene HPV) was performed. We compared 131 immigrants with 292 autochthonous women. ResultsThe immigrant women showed greater parity (P<.01), and there were fewer nulligravidas (P<.001). The most frequently employed contraceptive method was the intrauterine device (P<.01). The highest frequency of vaginal coitus was twice a week. Sexual dysfunction was as follows: no arousal in 42.59% (P<.01); no orgasm in 32.40% (P<.01) and dyspareunia in 52.77% (P<.01). Anal coitus was practiced by 17.59%. Immigrant women had fewer orgasms and more frequently had dyspareunia. There were no significant differences in vaginal infections or cervical lesions. No cases of cervical cancer were found. There were significant differences in the HPV types, both high risk (P<.001) and low risk (P<.01), and antibodies to HSV (P<.001), which more frequently affected immigrants. ConclusionsImmigrant women had greater parity and a higher frequency of sexual dysfunction, anorgasmia and dyspareunia. There were no differences in vaginal infections or cervical lesions. Immigrant women more frequently had high-risk or low-risk HPV infection and greater contact with type 2 HSV.